How to choose the right steam generator for your home?
Steam generator for the home - a modern device that produces high-temperature steam under pressure.
The design features allow the device to be used for cleaning and steaming things.
In order for the purchased steam generator to meet all the housewife’s requirements, it is necessary to decide, based on the characteristics declared by the manufacturer, which device is better.
In this article we will tell you how to choose a steam generator for your home.
Content
What are they?
Steam generators there are industrial and household. The latter are divided into types intended for the following purposes:
- Cleaning (in fact, steam cleaners are used for these purposes).
- Ironing clothes.
Models designed for cleaning look like a vacuum cleaner. This device is equipped with a steam generator, which allows you to quickly and efficiently clean the room:
- tidy up the windows;
- clean carpets;
- clean the bathroom;
- clean the split system;
- clean glass and tiles, etc.
The clothes steamer is a multifunctional device, allowing for steaming of laid out and hanging items. This allows you to effectively smooth out even difficult-to-handle objects, such as window curtains and jackets.
Parameters of good equipment for home use
A wide range of steam generators from various manufacturers allows you to select a device taking into account your requirements and the nature of the work performed. Technical parameters determine how efficient the steam generator will be.
Power
Power indicator is one of the important parameters. The power determines what types of work the steam generator can handle.
Advantages of choosing a device with low power:
- energy savings;
- high-quality steaming of products.
If you select a device that must cope with many tasks and heat up quickly, the power should be greater - 2,700 - 3,200 W. But for a home, the limit is usually enough - up to 1,800 - 2,000 W.
Steam supply
Steam supply is one of the most important indicators. The higher this indicator, the greater the efficiency. Depending on the model, this figure is in the range of 2-6 bar.
If you need the function of vertical steaming of clothes and curtains, then you need to give preference to models with a higher pressure indicator. For home work, 3 bar may be sufficient.
With a constant supply of steam, the volume of the generated jet is important. This figure is usually in the range of 80-140 g/min.
The “steam boost” function deserves special attention. It is necessary for heavily wrinkled and overdried items.
It can be difficult to deal with such a problem in normal ironing mode, but with a boost of steam the problem is solved quickly and easily. The indicator for this should be 90-360 g/min.
Tank volume
In household steam generators, the tank volume can be 0.5-2 liters. The larger the container, the greater the number of products that can be steamed without adding water..
It may be more difficult to use than a device with a small reservoir. For homework, a small or medium size container is optimal.
In addition to the total volume of the tank and the device itself, it is important how comfortable and ergonomic the model itself is.
With or without a boiler?
Models of steam generators, depending on the speed and nature of steam formation, are divided into the following types:
With separate boiler, in which water is heated and brought to a full boil. Heating time – up to a quarter of an hour.- Without a remote boiler, with a heating element. Heating occurs very quickly, but at the same time the weight of the iron itself also increases.
- Two combined tanks, one of which serves to replenish water in the working boiler, in which it is brought to a boil. A device with such an organization is characterized by large dimensions.
The choice is made depending on the goals. If you have to iron a small number of items, it is recommended to choose a model with fast heating and instant steam generation. Such a device will be ready for use almost immediately after switching on.
Even though it takes time to generate steam, the work will proceed quickly and efficiently. The power determines what types of work the device can handle..
To serve one family, it is optimal to use a steam generator with fast heating.
Device base
To make steam generators, several types of materials are used to make the sole. They have different characteristics and prices.
| Material | Characteristic | Note |
| Steel (stainless) | Durability, fast heating, reliability | Fast cooling |
| Titanium | Durability, reliability, low thermal conductivity, due to which it takes time to heat up, high cost | Very expensive material that can only be found in premium devices |
| Aluminum | Fast heating, low price, lack of strength - the surface can be easily damaged | Low cost and short service life |
| Teflon and glass ceramics | Durability, strength, good performance | High cost and fragility to mechanical damage |
| Ceramics | Fast heating, easy to clean, slow cooling | High cost and fragility to mechanical damage |
A steam generator is a fairly expensive and serious purchase, designed for many years of use, so saving at the expense of the quality of the sole is undesirable. The leaders are ceramics and Teflon.
Anti-scale protection
Steam is generated in a steam generator from water. Its quality plays an important role. If it does not comply with the manufacturer's recommendations, the following are possible:
- breakdowns;
- poor operation of the unit;
- formation of stains on steamed surfaces and other failures.
In addition to complying with the mandatory condition - filling with purified water, The anti-scale function would also be useful..
This arrangement usually includes rods that collect scale and indicators that indicate when cleaning is necessary.
Periodic descaling will extend the life of the steam generator.
Important little things
Modern steam generators are designed to operate continuously for at least 45 minutes. Continuous operation time depends on the following factors:
- volume of water container;
- possibility of automatic topping up without shutting down;
- type of device.
Several attachments are included with the device. Besides, For most models it is possible to purchase additional:
- for cleaning fur, suede and cashmere - a brush with natural bristles;
- to remove local stains - a steam gun;
- for processing delicate materials - Teflon nozzle, etc.
Physical parameters: weight and ergonomics
Choosing a model in which all functions are present to the maximum in most situations is irrational. A steam generator that “can do everything” is not only expensive, but also has large dimensions. Using such a thing in everyday life can be inconvenient.
Important points:
- Selecting a model with a comfortable handle is an individual matter. The comfort of work largely depends on how convenient it is.
- Weight. It can be difficult to operate the device while holding it up if it is too heavy.
- Cord length. It's convenient when the cord is long. This allows you to freely handle the steam generator without having to select an additional extension cord.
- Steam supply hose.If it is too short, then it will be inconvenient to process the clothes - they will have to be placed almost close to the tank.
- It is advisable to choose a tapered nose of the iron, as this makes work easier when processing hard-to-reach places.
- Steam supply to the spout must be required. Otherwise, the entire effect of the spout having the correct tapering shape will be lost - the steam simply will not reach its target.
Operating modes: automatic or manual adjustment
Steam generators can have the following types of steam supply organization:
- without the possibility of adjustment;
- with manual adjustment;
- with automatic adjustment depending on the type of material affected by the steam.
For household appliances intended for home use, manual adjustment is convenient, allowing you to keep the steaming process under control.
Additional functions
The functionality of the equipment can be expanded with additional features:
Dry ironing. This allows you to use the steam generator as a regular iron.- Splashing. Not all materials can be steamed; moisturizing by spraying can be used to care for them.
- Vertical steaming. This is a useful function that is necessary for smoothing curtains, suits and other clothes hung on a trempel.
- Auto power off. This function is necessary from a security point of view. A steam generator that is forgotten to be turned on or left unattended turns itself off after a certain rest time.
- Anti-drip function prevents water from accumulating and getting on the fabric being steamed.
Purpose of acquisition
Modern technology is multifunctional. Steam generators are not always used exclusively for ironing clothes.
With their help, it is possible to carry out a whole range of cleaning measures:
- disinfection;
- removing soap scum;
- fight against limescale;
- carpet cleaning;
- removing stains, etc.
Depending on the purpose for which the equipment is selected, a model with suitable equipment is determined.
Ironing clothes
If you only plan to iron clothes for family members, you can get by with a not too powerful device. This will allow you not to overpay for unnecessary functions and save energy consumption.
For heavy stains, you should pay attention to the steam boost function, which will help not only straighten the crumpled item, but also clean it. Another useful feature is the ability to vertically process products.
Carpet cleaning
It is recommended to clean the carpet with a steam generator together with using a vacuum cleaner. Water and cleaning agent are poured into the steam cleaner and the nozzle is passed over the surface of the pile.
It is recommended to perform the treatment several times for best results.. After steam treatment, the carpet is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.
Tile and bathroom cleaning
You can clean kitchen tiles and other greasy surfaces using an attachment with a special brush.. When treating contaminated areas, the brush is periodically moistened in a solution of water and detergent.
After passing over the surfaces with a steam generator, the remaining contamination is removed with a napkin.
Washing windows and glass
Washing windows with a steam cleaner makes cleaning easy and simple. For better results, it is convenient to use a special nozzle that looks like a small nozzle. In this case, the steam temperature is set to 95°C. Higher temperatures are not recommended as they increase the risk of glass damage.
The treatment is first carried out from a distance of 0.3 m. The device can gradually be brought closer to the glass. The same attachment that is suitable for cleaning windows can also be used for mirrors. It is not recommended to wash windows with a steam cleaner during the cold season, as this creates a significant temperature difference that the glass may not withstand.
Split system care
Cleaning of the air conditioner is carried out with a sufficiently powerful steam generator with high pressure to treat the internal structure. This cleaning not only removes dust, but also removes germs.
Top manufacturers: brands and prices
Well-known companies that are in the top sales have a fairly high cost, but at the same time they guarantee decent quality of their products.
Top manufacturers:
- Tefal.
- Phillips.
- Braun.
- Bosh.
Steam generators that are designed only for clothing care are usually cheaper than their universal counterparts, which allow you to carry out serious cleaning of the entire house.
The cost of the first category of goods from well-known brands is several thousand rubles. Steam generators, which are designed to care for the entire apartment, are more expensive - from 16,000 rubles.
Each brand’s line includes simple models and serious ones with high power. Self-respecting manufacturers try not to use low-quality materials, which, although cheaper, are inferior in quality and can undermine confidence in the entire brand.
The more powerful and multifunctional the device, the higher its price will be.
Conclusion
The choice of the best steam generator for the home is determined by the purposes for which it is selected. Wherein it is important that the manufacturer is trustworthy, and that the device itself is provided with service.
There is no ideal steam generator suitable for everyone - there must be an individual approach when choosing.
